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Ronald Reagan vs. Donald Trump: Similarities and Differences

March 06, 2018IN HIS WORDS

Reagan and Trump: Similarities and Differences

When Donald Trump took office, almost immediately, people began drawing comparisons to President Ronald Reagan. However, another subset of conservatives argued that the two were stark contrasts to one another. Which camp is right? The answer may lie somewhere in the middle.

Shortly after Trump’s tenure began, he went to work on an issue that also resonated with Ronald Reagan: government de-regulation. Headlines touting that Trump undertakes most ambitious regulatory rollback since Reagan rankled liberals but energized conservatives who had been anxious for a president with the same passion that Ronald Reagan had for removing big government from Americans’ daily lives. Trump and Reagan both understood that bureaucratic red tape that regulates so many industries deprives Americans of job opportunities and stagnates the economy.

The Trump Reagan similarities encompass many other policy issues: Both have backed religious freedom, invested heavily in building a strong military, pioneered tax cuts to invigorate job growth and put money back in the pockets of working-class Americans and have supported limiting entitlement programs in favor of back-to-work and job-readiness initiatives. Underlying nearly all of their domestic and international positions has been a shared belief in the “America first” approach—that, first and foremost, the government should be investing in ways to keep the country safe, prosperous and growing.

However, the two aren’t completely cut from the same cloth. When it comes to Trump vs. Reagan, some differences do stand out. For instance, Trump opponents have long argued that the president does not treat all people equally—particularly, that he marginalizes women and minorities. While that claim is up for debate, what’s not is Reagan’s position on equality: He was a firm believer in personal freedom, and that extended to all people, regardless of sex, race, religion or other characteristics. That commitment to full equality was a cornerstone of his presidency yet is something many say is missing from Trump’s.

Another issue that has been raised in the Ronald Reagan vs. Donald Trump discussion is both presidents’ communication styles. Trump has come under fire for what some say is an overuse of social media, which opponents say is too informal and unsophisticated of a means of presidential communication. Reagan, however, was known as the “Great Communicator,” someone who chose his words carefully and delivered them with both poise and empathy.

As Trump’s presidency continues, the debate over his similarities and differences with Ronald Reagan surely will as well.

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Guest

There is never going to be another Reagan. Instead of making comparisons we should accept each Presidents in their own time.

The Internet wasn't big in Reagan's time and neither Twitter of IM was around.

I wish we could have another Reagan, but the RNC wasn't the same then either. Trump came in at a time that Americans had become fed up with the Politician's on both sides.

The RNC itself has been disappointing for years.

Guest

Unfortunately, President Reagan was one-of-a-kind. He had a way of raising citizens' pride in their country, and making them feel positive about the future. President Trump, while attempting several worthy initiatives, does not have those Reagan traits that bring us together in the same way.

Guest

Although, the speech pattern might be different. But at this time, with media so obvious in tank with Russia and mostly communistic, I believe, it is perfect way for President Trump to shut down the Nay Sayers.

hiskids@centurylink.net

We must always remember that the COMMANDER IN CHIEF Is the COMMANDER IN CHIEF. We may not like or agree with, the person, but we should respect the position.

Guest

Let Reagan be Reagan and Trump be Trump. I do think the comment on equal treatment of people is way off base. I can remember all the negative things they said about President Reagan that were not true and in fact so far from the real nature of the man. In this case what they say about President Trump does not match what people who know the man will tell you.

Guest

The difference was that the Republicans in congress during Reagan's presidency weren't a bunch of spineless wimps who were afraid of the democrats and who were afraid of offending the media. They backed the person that was chosen by the voters to be the president , and they worked to pass his agenda. Today's RINO Republicans are more loyal to the corrupt Washington establishment and their donors than they are to their base,